Description of Tool or App
DataAnalysis is a general purpose iPad App for the plotting and analysis of all types of data that can be formulated as (x,y) pairs. The tool can be used easily by both students and professionals. It is useful for quick analysis of various types of data by curve fitting and analysis of data using a standard curve
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Data can be entered using the keyboard or data can be uploaded. The data can be fit to a variety of math equations by non-linear regression (linear, 2nd and 3rd degree polynomials, power, exponential and log functions). Data can also be fit to more complex equations. The user is able to customize the graph by altering the axes, labels, title, symbol, size and color. The data fit can be used as a standard curve to determine the value of unknowns. This procedure is automated through this app.
The final output can be emailed or uploaded to Dropbox in a variety of formats including PDF, PNG and TXT.


Benefits of Tool or App
  • Supports multitasking and printing of input data as well as all forms of output
  • Has instructions and how to videos available through the Help Menu
  • Able to look at graph and data at the same time – oppose to having to switch back and forth from a table, graph, and main screen in the calculator
  • Easy to change the parameters to test the line of best fit
  • Many options of regression equations (ie: linear, quadratic, power, exponential, log, polynomial etc)
  • Has examples already uploaded to use as a reference
  • Data entry is straightforward


Constraints of Tool or App
  • Freezes occasionally. For instance, when selecting a different regression and changing the parameters (went from linear to power) the screen would freeze and would take some time to unfreeze or if you would exit out and go back into the app the screen would be black and then kick you off again.
  • On some of the functions original parameters need to be set. This may cause frustration from students because they would have a hard time selecting the numbers needed to get the best fit line.
  • When opening a previous saved file the app does not remember previous fitted curves and the customized axes, title, shape and colors are also lost.
  • Not able to make double-y plot to be able to look at two trends simultaneously

How To Use Tool or App

First download DataAnalysis from the app store on the iPad
Once the app has downloaded click on new document and this screen will pop up.
This is where you will plot you (x, y) points

plots.jpg

Once all points are submitted you will then press "Plot"
- At this point you can visually see what the graph looks like.

plot.jpg

At this point you are able to customize your graph by changing the names on the axes, title, color, size etc.

customize.png




After you've finished customizing you can now plot the line.


final.png
Here you are able to look at the graph, data, final parameter values, deviation, correlation coefficient, equation, etc.

unknowns.jpg

Once you are satisfied with the equation you can then use "as standard curve" to determine value of unknowns.




Original Artifact of Tool or App (created by someone in your house)

final.png


Classroom Uses for Tool or App

Student Uses
  • Collect data and construct a regression equation
  • Use data that the teacher or other classmate has entered and analyze the data and construct the equation or look for unknowns.
  • Can be used in physics, finance and economic courses.


Teacher Uses
  • Screen shot for flipped classroom to be able to have documents already uploaded to be able to draw from and explain the concepts
  • Use as a classroom tool - enter the data from an example and walk the students through the process to create the regression and then have students
  • Create pre-made documents for students to analyze and then compare their findings with the rest of the class.